James L. Csontos Phoenix, Arizona
| phone | (602) 234-7832 |
| fax | (602) 277-5595 |
| jlc@jhc-law.com | |
Mr. Csontos practices in the Firm's Surety and Construction Litigation section where he devotes a substantial portion of his practice providing legal advice and representation to owners, contractors, sureties and other members of the construction industry.
Mr. Csontos also serves as corporate counsel to numerous small businesses, assisting them with various types of legal matters including business operations, contract questions and litigation.
Mr. Csontos joined the Firm in 1986 and became a partner in 1994.
Mr. Csontos is a graduate of Arizona State University (B.S. 1982 and J.D. 1986).
REPRESENTATIVE ENGAGEMENTS- National construction and engineering firms in litigation specific to their Arizona operations.
- Contractors in litigation and mechanics' lien disputes.
- Owners in contract negotiations and litigation involving construction projects.
- Subcontractors in contract negotiations and litigation.
- Sureties in their investigation and settlement of payment bond and performance bond claims.
- Contractors in bid protests against public owners.
- Contractors before the Registrar of Contractors and Administrative Law Judges.
- Local businesses in their business formation and transactions.
- Litigants before the Arizona and 9th Circuit Court of Appeals.
PUBLISHED OPINIONS
- ABC Supply, Inc. v. Edwards, 191 Ariz. 48, 952 P.2d 286 (Ct. App. 1996)
- Aesthetic Property Maintenance, Inc. v. Capitol Indem. Corp., 183 Ariz. 74, 900 P.2d 1210 (1995)
- Big D v. Court of Appeals, 163 Ariz. 560, 789 P.2d 1061 (1990)
- Western Sun Contracting Co. v. Superior Court, 159 Ariz. 223, 766 P.2d 96 (Ct. App. 1989)
- Areas of Practice:
- Appellate Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Construction Law
- Construction Defect Litigation
- Surety & Fidelity Law
- Bar Admissions:
- Arizona
- U.S. District Court District of Arizona
- U.S. District Court Northern District of California
- U.S. Court of Appeals 9th Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals Federal Circuit
- U.S. Court of Federal Claims
- Education:
- Arizona State University, College of Law, Tempe, Arizona,
1986
J.D
Honors: Cum Laude - Arizona State University,
1982
B.S.
Honors: Magna Cum Laude
- Published Works:
- Property Crawlers, AZRE Magazine, November/December, 2009
- Deal or no Dealership, Coverage under Motor Vehicle Dealer License Bonds, Author, Western States Surety Conference, 2009
- Resolving Problems and Disputes on Construction Projects, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, 2009
- How to Deal with the Rambo Litigator and Avoid Dirty Litigation Tactics, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, 2008
- Professional Liability in Design and Construction Contracts, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, 2008
- Construction Law Fundamentals: Handling Project Risk, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, Inc.,, 2007
- Managing Complex Construction Law Issues, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, 2006
- State by State Guide to Construction Contracts and Claims, Contributing Author, (Arizona chapter), Aspen Publishers, 2006 and annual supplements
- State by State Guide to Architect, Engineer, and Contractor Licensing, Contributing Author, (Arizona Supplement) Aspen Law Publications 2002-present
- 50 State Construction Lien and Bond Law, Second Edition, Contributing Author, (Arizona chapter) Aspen Law Publications, 2000 and annual supplements
- Mechanics' Lien Law and Strategies in Arizona, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, Inc., 1996-2005
- Construction Payment Remedies in Arizona, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, Inc., 1997-2005
- Arizona Construction Law: What do you do when?, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, Inc., 1999-2005
- Advanced Construction Law in Arizona, Contributing Author, National Business Institute, Inc., 1999-2005
- Handling Miscellaneous Bond Claims, Contributing Author, Western States Surety Conference, 1998
- Using a Mechanics Lien to Get Your Money, National Business Institute, Inc., 2006
- Fundamentals of Construction Law in Arizona, 2004
- An Overview of Arizona Civil RICO, 1989
- "Fifty State Construction Lien and Bond Laws", Co-Author with (William F. Haug)
- "Construction Law: What do you do When . . Delay, Changed Conditions, Contract Changes", 1993
- Classes/Seminars Taught:
- National Bond Claims Association's Annual Seminar, October 11, 2007 - October 12, 2007
- Using a Mechanics' Lien to Get Your Money, National Business Institute, June 5, 2006
- Resolving Problems and Disputes on Construction Projects, Resolving Problems and Disputes on Construction Projects, January 13, 2009
- Professional Liability in Design and Construction Contracts, National Business Institute, September 9, 2008
- Arizona Construction Law for Architects, Engineers and Contractors, HalfMoon Seminars, April 3, 2008
- Construction Law Fundamentals: Managing Project Risk, National Business Institute, December 12, 2007
- Managing Complex Construction Law Issues, National Business Institute, September 8, 2006
- No License? No Problem..., Construction Section of the Arizona State Bar Association meeting, September 5, 2006
- How to Deal with the 'Rambo' Litigator and Avoid Dirty Litigation Tactics, National Business Institute, June 25, 2008
- In Search of the Pot of Gold: Where to Find Money When It Is Not Where It Should Be, State Bar of Arizona, Construction Section monthly seminar, 2000
- Handling Miscellaneous Bond Claims, Western States Surety Conference, 1998
